Surfacing machine



May 24, 1938. J. c. TMPLE 2,118,276

an. 195e s sheets-sheet 1 JOHN C75/14,045

I E T R Nv N o y l BY j l Lmina r f v ATTORNEYS.

May 24, 1938. i q. C. kTEMPLE 2,118,216

SURFACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1936 I5 Sheets-Sheet 22 JoH/V C? MPL i ,INVENTOR ATTRNEYS.

May 24, 1938. v J. CJEMPLE 2,118,216

SURFACING MACHINE Filed Jan. 29, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet JJ Q S Q n Q N N Q N f f@ w E Q n 0 9 9 9 ;--T- llh H/L.|||I hl i n Q 'Il l :il

MGH/V C TEMPLE 1NvENToR.

Patented May 24, 1938 UNiTED gSTATES PATENT OFFICE SURFACING MACHINE J ohn C. Temple, New York, N. Y.- Application January 29, 1936,.` Serial No. 61.291 12 claims. (ci. 1p1-222) This invention relates to surfacing machines and constitutes an improvement over the surfac-` to a vertical or inclined metallic work surface andr for propelling and Aremotely controlling the ma- 15 chine over ysuch surface. n

A further'feature of thenvention is the provision of a means for accommodating the passage of the machine over the lapped joints and rivet heads of afships hull or the .like metallic structure, while adhered thereto by an electromagnetic force.

A still further object `of the invention is tovprovde a machine of the character above referred to in which lthe electromagnets for causing the ma- 2 chine to adhere to the metallic work surface are passage of Water through the jacket, which water is subsequently sprayed on the work surface for washing purposes. f n

30 A further feature ofthe invention is to provide a novel means for suspendingthe `surfacing machine in operating position relative to a vertically disposed work surface andby which the sus-- pended machine may be remotelycontrolled to turn the same to a position to move vertically or horizontally over a surface to be worked upon.

With these and other objects in View, the invention resides in the certain novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, the es- 40 sential features of which are hereinafter lfully described, are particularly pointed out in the appended claims, and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: a

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved 45 surfacing machine in use upon a ships hull.

Figure 2 isa vertical sectional View on the machine.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional view on the line Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the` line 5-5 of Figure 2. n

Figure 6 is a detail horizontal section al view on 55 the line 5-5 ofFigure 6.v

enclosed in a water jacket and kept cool bythe Figure 7 is a detail horizontal sectional view yonthe line 1--'I of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on two different planes.`

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view on the 5 n line 9-9 of Figure 4. Figure l10 is a sectional elevationalview'of the electrically operated gear shift mechanism. l

Figure 11 is a detail vertical sectional view on the line II-II of Figure 10. 10

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the electric control circuits.

Referring to the drawings by reference characters, the numeral IIl` designates my improved metallic surfacing machine in its entirety which in 15 rear end elevation appears square or rectangular and includes a frame II composed of spaced parallel side walls I2-I2 and a connecting rear end Wall I3. Bridging the side walls I2--I2 inwardly of the front 4end of theframe and disposed parallel with respect to the rear end wall I3, is a cross Wall or partition I4. Bridging the side walls' I2-` I2 and journaled therein are driven shafts I5 and I6, the same being in spaced alinement adjacent the front apen sides of y the frame structure. Mounted on the shaft I5 is al rotary brush element I'I, consisting of a multiple of independent brushes flexibly connected to a carrying frame 9 and extending radially therefrom.' During rotation of the shaft I5, the brushes are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force into wiping contact with the surface being cleaned or painted. Mounted on the shaft I6, is asurface scaling element I8, the same consisting of aframe I9 carrying a number of radially extending chain links 20 which are thrown outwardly by centrifugal forceduring rotation of the shaft I6 for striking contact with the metallic surface to be scaled and cleaned. By reason of the flexible nature of the brush element I1 and scaling element I8, the said 40 elements may pass over any irregularities which may be present on the surface being worked upon. Surrounding the inner ysides of'the rotary elements II and I8 are semi-circular shaped' shields 2I which bridge opposite side walls I2-I2 and 45 are supported thereby. The inner edges of thel shields 2I support water spray pipes 22 through which water is adapted to pass for spraying upon the, metallic surface to be cleaned. Fixedly secured to the shafts I5 and I6 at one of their ends, 50 are small sprocket wheels 23 and 24 respectively. Fixedly supportedv by the cross partition Awall I4 is an electric motor 25, the armature shaft 26 thereof being disposed parallel to the shafts I5 and I6. The end of-'the motor shaft` 26 is,55

journaled in bearings supported by a partition wall 21 which bridges the space between the rear end wall I3 and the partition wall I4, the said wall 21 being disposed parallel to the side walls I2 as best seen in Figure 9 of the drawings. The drive shaft 26 carries a driving pinion 28 which is in constant mesh with a large gear 29 flxed to one end of a counter shaft 30, the said shaft 38 having its bearing in the partition 21 and the adjacent end wall I2. Also ilxed to the counter shaft 30 is a driving gea'r 3| which is in constant mesh with a gear 3|' and an idler gear 32. The idler gear 32 is mounted in a bearing 33 extending from the adjacent side walls I2 whereas the gear 3| is fixed to a stub shaft 34 having its bearing in the adjacent side wall I2 and which shaft also carries a sprocket wheel 35. A sprocket chain 36 passes over the sprocket wheel 35 and over the smaller sprocket wheel 24 for the purpose of imparting rotation to the scaling element I8 from the drive shaft 30. The idler gear 32 is in mesh with a gear 31 xed to a stub shaft 38 having its bearing supported by the adjacent side wall I2, and also fixed to the stub shaft 38 is a sprocket wheel 39. A sprocket chain 40 passes over the sprocket Wheel 39 and over the sprocket wheel 23 whereby rotation may be imparted to the brush element I1 by power from the shaft 30. By the system of gearing hereinbefore described, the sprocket chains 36 and 40 will impart rotation to the shafts I6 and I5, respectively, to rotate the rotary cleaning elements I8 and I1 in opposite directions. The direction of rotation of the cleaning elements is at all times outwardly so as to throw any particles scraped or brushed from the metallic surface outwardly of the machine rather than inwardly thereof. Flexibly supported at the open front of the frame II is a pair of electromagnetic traction units A and B, the same being disposed in spaced parallel relation, the inner adjacent ends of the units being joined by links 4I whereas the outer ends of the units are connected to adjacent side walls I2 by short lengths of chain 42. These flexible connections are connected to a part of each unit which is stationary so as not to interfere with the mechanical operation thereof. These flexible connections maintain operating alinement but permit of the relative inward and outward movement of traction units relative to each other to enable the units to adjust themselves to uneven metallic surfaces, such as the lapped plates of a ships hull or the passing of the units over rivets which are employed for securing the metallic plates together. The fiexible connection between the traction units A and B include additional supporting means which will presently be explained. l

In View of the fact that both of the traction units A and B are of identical construction, a description of one will suffice for the other. Each traction unit includes an elongated frame 43 comprising an outer guide shoe 44 and a flat inner wall 45. The brackets 46 which are fixed to the frame 43 at opposite ends coact with the inner wall 45 for yieldably supporting pairs of bearing arms 41, while springs 48 act to normally force the bearing arms 41 inwardly, therebeing suitable stops for limiting the movement of the bearing arms in opposite directions. Journaled in the sets of bearing arms 41 are alinerl shafts 49 and fixed to the shafts are rollers 50 having radially extending teeth I extending from the peripheries thereof. Fixed to the inner ends of the shafts 49 are sprocket wheels 52, which sprocket wheels are joined by an endless sprocket chain 53 which passes therearound. By reason of this sprocket connection between' the spaced alined shafts 49, both of Said shafts Will turn simultaneously in the same direction when power is imparted to the sprocket chain 53 in a manner to be presently explained.

Passing over the outer surface of the shoe guide 44 and around the rollers 50 is a flexible traction element 55, the same having openings 56 therein to receive the radially extending teeth 5I whereby the rollers 58 may impart a positive movement to the flexible traction element. The endless traction element 55 may be constructed of metal such as thin'sheet metal of sufficient flexibility as to pass around the rollers 50 or the traction elements may be of a semi-metallic or non-metallic material of greater friction qualities than metal. The inner vsurface of the endless traction element may be lubricated to reduce friction and wear between the same and the parts over which it moves. The resilient bearing brackets 46 which connect the rollers 5U with the frame 43 tend to take up any Vslack which may occur in the flexible traction element and serve to hold the flexible traction element taut at all times.

Fixed to and integral with the frame 43 and extending through an opening in the guide shoe portion 44 is an electromagnet 51 having an outer front face flush with the plane of the outer face of the g-uide shoe 44, and is Welded or secured thereto in a Water tight manner. A water jacket 58 surrounds the side and back surfaces of the magnet and leading to the water jacket is a water pipe line 59 which is in the form of a flexible hose, the same connecting with a nipple 60 extending inwardly from the frame 43. By reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, itwill be seen that the hose 59 connects with a water supply pipe 6I while a valve 62 is provided for regulating the flow of water from the pipe line 6I to the hose 59. vThe frame 43y water jacket 58, and electromagnet 51 are integrally connected together so as to be water tight and movable as a unit. Extending inwardly from this integral construction is a ball 63 forming one part of a' ball and socket joint, the ball being seated in a socket member 64, which socket member is pivotally connected to one end of a rocker'arm 65. The ends of the rocker arm 65 are connected with the respective units A and B, while the mid-portion of the rocker arm is pivoted as at 66 to a bracket 61 flxedly secured to the partition wall I4. The rocker arm constitutes a support and coacts with the flexible connections hereinbefore mentioned to permit relative movement between the traction units A and B.

Each traction unit is vdriven from a common source of power produced by the motor 25 by providing a drive shaft 68 which is journaled in bearings in the opposite side walls I2. Fixed to the shaft 68 is a large gear 69 which meshes with a smaller gear 18 fixed to the countershaft 30. It will thus be seen that power may be transmitted from the motor 25 ,through the meshing gears 28, shaft 30, and thence through the meshing gears and 69. Whereas the shaft 68is driven by the motor in one direction only, means is provided whereby power maybe transmitted therefrom to the respective traction units A and B to cause said traction units to move in the same direction, or in opposite directions. Each traction unit is provided with an individual reversible power transmission mechanism and a description ofone such mechanism will sufce for the other.

Mounted in a pair of allned bearings'10, are stub shafts 1|. One of the bearings 10. is fixedly supported by an end lwall I2 while the other bearing is supported by the inner wall 4 5 of the frame 43. Fixed to the stub shaft 1| which has its bearing attached tothe end wall I2, is a sprocket wheel 12, while fixed to the other stub shaft 1| is a sprocket wheel 13. This sprocket wheel 13 engages thesprocket chain 53 and constitutes the driving sprocket for the said chain 53. A connecting shaft 14 disposed in axial alinement with the stub shafts 1| has its opposite ends provided with forks 15 which pass through slots 18 in the respectivesprocket wheels 12 andr 13. Pins 11 passtransversely through the outer ends of the forks for securing the forked ends of the respective sprocket Vwheels and in view yof the fact that the openings 16 are' larger than the arms of the forked ends, the shaft 14 may have a slight relative movement with respect tothe sprockets and forms a flexible drive connectionwhich is necessary in view of the fact that the traction un'its A and B have yielding movement relative to the side walls I2 and to each other. A sprocket' driven chain 18 passes over the sprocket wheel 12 to impart rotation to the shaft 14, which rotation t is imparted to the sprocket 13 for the purpose of driving the chain 53.y The sprocket chain 18 also passes around a pair of alined sprocket wheels 80,`

which sprocket wheels are. spaced and are mounted in alinement upon stub shafts 8|, the said stub shafts extending outwardly from a gear shifting frame 82.k The frame 82 is mounted for a limited sliding movement and is provided with elongated slots 83 through which the shanks of headed studs 84 pass, the said studs extending inwardly from a supporting end wall I2. The frame 82 is provided with an elongated slot 85'for the passage of the common drive shaft 68. 'Also fixed to thel stub shafts 8| are gear wheels 86 either of which may be operatively brought into mesh rwith the drive gear 81 fixed to the drive shaft 68 by reason of the sliding laction which may be imparted to the frame 82. For the purpose of sliding the frame 82 to move a selected gear 86 into mesh with the driving gear 81, a pair of solenoids 88 are provided. The cores 89 ofthesolenoids are connected to opposite ends of theframe 82. By energizing only one of the solenoids-88, the plate may be shifted in one direction to cause one ofl the gears 86 to mesh with the gear 81 and by energizing the other solenoid 88, the frame 82 may be shifted to bring the other gear'86 into meshing engagement withthe driving gear 81. By this shifting action the chains 18 may be driven in either direction fory controlling the direction of travel of the flexible traction element For selectively controlling the energizing of the solenoids 88, four separate solenoid circuits are necessary, each being designated 90. 9| are provided for closing the solenoid circuits 90. These circuits are shown in Figure12 together with a motor circuit 92 controlled by a switch 93.` Electromagnets 51 of the two traction units A and Bare arranged iny a single circuit 94 controlled bya switch 95. For convenience, the switches 9|, 93, and 95 maybe mounted within a box 96 which may be heldin the hand of an operator to controlthe several circuits during operation .of the machine and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings. i y A.

Bearing in mind that the driving mechanism of the two traction units A'and B may be operated Switches in the same direction or in reverse directions permits travel ofthe machine back and forth without turning or by operating one traction unit in one directionand the other in a reverse direc'- tion, the same work against each other when in contact with a metallic surface to be cleaned, thus tending to cause the machine to turn around without traveling in any particular straight away direction. I make use .of this action for changing the direction of travel of the machine as will be presently explained.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, I have illustrated the invention in use upon a ships hull H, usually constructed of metal lapping plates, although this detail has not been shown in Figure 1. For-suspending the machine l,I0 inoperative position against the side of the hull H, I provide asus-v pension loop, formed by anchoring one endv o f a cable 91 to the'bulwark of the ship as at 958 the cable 91 passes overa pulley 99 also connected to.

the anchorage 98 and the pulley 99isy atrolleyy |02, which trolley supports a depending vsling orY loop |03 which passes over grooved'pulleys |04 whichare rotatably'mounted in the four corners of the frame structure |I. 'l'he` grooved rollers |04 are all mounted in the same plane, and are so located thatrthey are disposed at one side vof the plane of the center of balance of themachine so that the overbalance thereof will cause the traction units A and B to operativelycontact the surface being worked upon, at which time the rotary cleaning elements I1 and I8 will be disposed in operative contact with such surface. By driving the traction units A and B in the same direction, the machine will be caused to move straight along the surface being worked upon. In Figure 1 of the drawings, the machine is moving horizontally along the side of the shipshull H, but should an occasion arise whererit is desired to turn the machine to a position at right angles,

to that shown, one of the traction elementsmay be operated reverseVv to the other, causing. the machine I0 toturn in the suspendingsling |93.

During operation of the machine, `the magnetic .force set upby the electromagnet v51.0f the` two traction units tends to cause the machine to adhere to the Sides of the metallic surface being worked upon and is spaced therefrornby the endlessv ilexible element 56. As before mentioned,

peller for each traction unit. y

the .element `56 is driven and constitutes a pro- Waterfrorn the water jacket 58 is carried tov the spray pipes 22 by connectingpipes |05, thus the lwater after being used for cooling ythe magelements |1 `and I8 for brushingy and scaling aI metallic surface, the said elements may be inten` changeable and the machine equipped with 'two rotary brush elements similarA to the brush ele.

ments I8 andthe machine utilized for painting metallic surfaces. When used for painting, paint may be sprayed onto the surface from-spray pipes |06 arranged adjacent and parallel to thewater spray pipes 22. The pipes |06 may be connected' to a source of 'paint supply as explained in the co-pending application hereinbefore mentioned.`

When the machine is to be used for painting purposes, the same may be constructed with magnets of the permanent type in lieu of the electromagnets 51 which necessitate cooling by water. It will be appreciated that it would not be desirous to spray water upon a surface during a painting operation. However, if water cooled electromagnets 5T are used, the water from the Water jackets may be piped away through an exhaust hose instead of passing to the spray pipes 22.

Although I have specifically mentioned and have shown in the drawings, the machine for use in connection with the cleaning of a ships hull, it will be understood that other metallic structures may be scaled, cleaned, and painted by the use of this machine.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiment of the invention set forth hereinbefore, I wish it to be understood that various changes of 'construction and in materials maybe resorted to ,if desired, as

come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and'desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:-

1. In a machine of the class described, a chassis, a pair of spaced apart electro-magnets mounted on said chassis and having flat outer faces, a pair of driven endless flexible magnetic conductor traction elements arranged in parallel relation, one of the leads of the endless traction elements respectively passing over the outer flat faces of the electromagnets and adapted to engage a metallic surface over which the machine is adapted'to travel. v

2. In a machine of the class described, a pair of spaced electro-magnets having flat outer faces, means exibly connecting said electro-magnets together for permitting relative movement therebetween, a pair of driven endless flexible traction elements arranged in parallel relation, one of the leads of the endless traction elements respectively passing over the outer fiat faces of the electro-magnets.

3. In a machine of the class described, a pair of spaced electro-magnets having flat outer faces, a pair of driven endless flexible traction elements arranged in parallel relation, one of the leads of the endless traction elements respectively passing over the outer flat faces of the electromagnets, and means Vfor selectively controlling the movement of said driven endless exible elements for simultaneous movements in the same direction or in reverse directions. i

4. In a machine of the character described, a chassis, a pair of alined driven rollers mounted on said chassis, a guide shoe mounted on said chassis, an endless flexible traction element passing over said rollers and guide shoe and adapted to engage a metal surface over which the machine is adapted totravel, and an electro-magnethaving its outer end extending through said guide shoe to expose the same to said traction element during its passage thereover.

5. In a machine of the character described, a'chassis, a pair of alined driven rollers mounted on said chassis, a guide shoe mounted on said chassis, an endless exible traction element passing over said rollers and guide shoe and adapted to engage a metal surface over which the machine is adapted to travel, an electro-magnet having its' outer end extending through said guide shoe to expose the same to said traction element during its passage thereover, a cooling chamber surrounding the inner end and sides of said electro-magnet, and means for passing a cooling medium through said cooling chamber to maintain saidelectro-magnet in a cool condition.

6. A machine for working upon the outer surfaces of a metal ships hull or the like comprising in combination, airame body having rotatable work surfacing elements journaled therein, a pair of spaced electro-magnets iiexibly connected together and exibly connected to said frame body, said electro-magnets adapted to be disposedl in close proximity to a metallic work surface, and a pair of flexible parallel endless driven traction propelling elements passing over the respective electro-magnets for maintaining the same in spaced relation to a metallic work surface.

7. A machine for working upon the outer surface of a metal ships hull or the like comprising in combination, a frame body having rotatable workI surfacing elements journaled therein, a pair of spaced electro-magnets flexibly connected together and exibly connected to said frame body, said electro-magnetsadapted to be disposed in close proximity to a metallic work surface, and a pair of exible parallel endless driven traction propelling elements passing over the respective electro-magnets for maintaining the same in spaced relation to a metallic work surface, and counter-balance means for suspending the machine with the tractive lead of the endless traction propelling elements in working contact with a metallic surface to be worked upon.

8. In combination, a surfacing machine having parallel driven traction units, means for se- I lectively controlling the direction of travel of said traction units relative to each other, means for suspending said surfacing machine with the traction' units in tractive contact with a work surface and for guiding the machine over a work surface, and means on the surfacing machine and engaged by the suspending means for causing said machine to turn relative to the suspending means to change the direction of travel of the machine when the traction units .are traveling in reverse direction.

9. In combination, a surfacing machine vhaving parallel driven traction units, means for controlling the direction of travel of said traction units relative to each other, means for suspending said surfacing machine with the tractive units in tractive contact with a work surface and for guiding the machine over a work surface, and means for causing said machine to turn relative to the suspending means to change the direction of travel of the machine when the traction units are traveling in reverse directions, said last named means including sets of grooved pulley wheels on opposite sides of said surfacing machine, and a exible loop connected to the sus# pending means and passing'over said grooved pulley wheels.

10. In combination, a exible suspension cable having slack therein, a trolley movable over said suspension cable, a flexible loop depending from said trolley, a surfacing machine having parallel `driven traction units, means for selectively controlling the direction of travel of said traction units relative to each other, andsets of grooved pulley wheels at the opposite sides of the surfacing machine over which said exible loop passes, said pulley wheels being arranged in the same transverse plane, counterbalance means tending to take up the slack in said suspension cable, and means for causing the traction units to tractively contact a. surface to be worked upon by said surfacing machine.

11. In a machine of the class described, a frame structure, a pair of electro-magnetic traction units arranged in spaced parallel relation, each electro-magnetic traction unit including a magnet, and an endless driven magnetic conductor traction propelling element passing over said magnet and adapted to'engage av metal surface over which the machine is adapted to travel, means for flexibly connecting said traction units together in supported position upon saidframe structure, and means for selectively driving said traction units simultaneously in the same direction or simultaneously in reverse directions.

12. In a machine o1 the class` described, a frame structure, a pair of traction units arranged in spaced parallel relation, means for flexibly connecting said traction units together in supported position upon said frame structure, and means for selectively driving said traction units simultaneously in the same direction or simultaneously in reverse directions, each of said traction units including a pair of alined driven rollers, a guide shoe disposed at one side of said rollers and an endless exible traction band passing over said guide shoe and rollers, and electromagnets associated with the traction leads of the respective exible traction bands of the pair of traction units for setting up an electro-magnetic force to eiect a tractive contact of the traction leads of the traction bands with a metallic sur- 15 face during use of the machine over such surface.

JOHN C. TEMPLE. 

